Double Deck Brown & Bigelow “Sophie Tucker” Playing Cards, c.1946

Double deck of cards made by Brown & Bigelow for Sophie Tucker, the great entertainer known as “The Last of the Red Hot Mamas,” featuring her likeness on the backs. The cards are in a custom box that says, “Seasons Greetings from Sophie Tucker” and the decks each include a calendar card for 1947. I assume that the cards date to 1946, as there would be no point in distributing cards during a holiday season with a calendar card for the year gone by. I do not know whether the cards were sold commercially or distributed to friends/fans as a promotional gift, but I suspect that they are rare.

For those who are too young to have known of Sophie Tucker, she is described in Wikipedia as follows:

“Sophie Tucker (January 13, 1887 – February 9, 1966) was a Ukrainian-born American singer, comedian, actress, and radio personality. Known for her stentorian delivery of comical and risqué songs, she was one of the most popular entertainers in America during the first half of the 20th century. She was widely known by the nickname ‘The Last of the Red Hot Mamas.’”

Tucker’s signature song was “Some of These Days”:

"Some of these days
You'll miss your honey
Some of these days
You'll feel so lonely

I feel so lonely
Just for you only
For you know, honey
You've had your way

And when you leave me
I know you'll grieve me
You'll miss your little honey
Some of these days"

She also incorporated “fat girl” humor into her act, including such songs as “Nobody Loves a Fat Girl, But Oh How a Fat Girl Can Love.” On a more serious note, one of her most famous songs was “My Yiddishe Momme,” which she performed before audiences that understood Yiddish. The song would later be banned by the Nazis for evoking Jewish culture.

Each deck has 52 suited cards, plus 1 Joker, plus the calendar card noted. The cards are standard B&B cards of the day. They are bridge size, measuring 89mm x 57mm, and come in the original box with an embossed velour type fabric on the lid.

There is a slight mustiness to the decks – a condition which will disappear over time as they are stored in a dry place; but the buyer should be aware that it exists now. Otherwise, the cards are in very good lightly used condition, with modest edge wear and evidence of handling. The box is in excellent condition, but with slight wear to the velour, especially at the edges of the lid, and with slight fading to the embossing.